Question

6. Why did French government order their ships to attack American trade ships?

O
The United States refused to send an American ambassador to France.
The United States had declared war on France.
The United States refused to pay France a $250,000 bribe.
O
The United States had negotiated a treaty with Britain.

Answer 1

The French government ordered their ships to attack American trade ships because the United States refused to pay France a $250,000 bribe, known as the XYZ Affair.

Step-by-step explanation:

The French government ordered their ships to attack American trade ships because the United States refused to pay France a $250,000 bribe. This event was known as the XYZ Affair. In 1797, three French agents demanded a bribe from American diplomats in order to negotiate a treaty. The United States saw this as an insult and refused to pay the bribe, leading to heightened tensions between the two countries and French attacks on American ships.

Learn more about Reasons for French attacks on American trade ships